Vasectomy

TOP 5% – Vasectomy patients (USA)

At Northeast Georgia Urological Associates we have performed several thousand vasectomies in our 30 year career in Northeast Georgia. We utilize the No Needle No Scalpel technique and whether we perform your procedure in our office with oral and local sedation or general anesthesia in our Surgery Center you can rest assured we will do everything we can to make your procedure pain free.

We take our “Catering to Cowards” motto very seriously.

“All you’d ever wanted to know about a vasectomy but your wife forgot to ask.”

A vasectomy is a common surgical procedure performed in our office for men looking for permanent birth control. In this procedure, a portion of the duct that carries sperm is removed. Every year more than one-half million men in the United States have this minor surgery. Vasectomy is safe, highly effective, and has no impact on erection or sexual performance. A scalpel free vasectomy is not very different from a routine vasectomy. In a scalpel-free vasectomy, the skin is opened using a razor-sharp clamp rather than a surgical blade. A length of each sperm duct is still removed, but the incisions are even smaller.

The “No Needle” technique is an innovative way to deaden the area the vasectomy is done in a painless way. In consulting with men prior to a vasectomy their first question is invariably, “Will it hurt?” When a needle is used to anesthetize the area of the procedure not only is the needle puncturing the skin uncomfortable, but the irritative nature of lidocaine is as well. Using the Madajet technology, we are able to deaden the skin in a painless manner. Using the Madajet, the lidocaine is vaporized and sprayed into the area of the procedure and the tissues surrounding the vas in a painless way. Less volume of the lidocaine is used as well resulting in less distortion of the tissues through which the procedure is performed.

This technology was initially developed to administer vaccinations quickly and in a painless fashion and then was modified for the purpose of performing a vasectomy.

In keeping with our motto about performing vasectomies, the Madajet truely allows us to “cater to cowards.”

Three applications of the Madajet device are placed into the vas on each side resulting in a painfree, no needle, less medicine used, and a less complicated vasectomy because of less fluid in the tissues surrounding the procedure.

Northeast Georgia Urological Assoc. is pleased to offer this new technology to our patients and our fellow male “cowards.”

If you prefer to listen-A Vasectomy 101 podcast.

The Male Reproductive System

Sperm are produced in the testicles. Sperm ducts then carry the sperm to mix with fluids from the seminal vesicle and the prostate to form semen. The semen passes through the urethra and is ejaculated during sexual intercourse (Figure 1). A vasectomy prevents sperm from mixing with semen
by blocking both sperm ducts. Sperm continue to be produced in the testicles. The sperm, however, make it only as far as the new point of blockage in the sperm duct. At this point, the sperm is reabsorbed. As a result, there are no sperm in the semen that is ejaculated at the time of intercourse.

How will my vasectomy affect me?

The prostate and seminal vesicles continue to produce fluids that are ejaculated. In fact, the amount of fluid ejaculated decreases only about 5% after a vasectomy. In
terms of sexual performance, vasectomy has no negative effects—erection and male hormone levels remain the same.

What are the benefits of a vasectomy?

The prostate and seminal vesicles continue to produce fluids that are ejaculated. In fact, the amount of fluid ejaculated decreases only about 5% after a vasectomy. In
terms of sexual performance, vasectomy has no negative effects—erection and male hormone levels remain the same.

Are there any complications?

There are no known long-term complications after a vasectomy. About 60%-70% of men develop antisperm antibodies in their blood, which is a harmless allergy to your own sperm. There is no evidence that these antibodies have a major effect on other organ systems.

How should I prepare for a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is usually performed in our office or in our surgery center on an outpatient basis. Since you will receive a local anesthetic and most likely some medication to help you relax, we will require that you arrange to have someone drive you home afterward. You may also be asked to bring an athletic supporter with you.

How long does it take?

A vasectomy only takes about 15-30 minutes. First, a local anesthetic will be applied to your scrotal area. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax. Then either one or two small incisions (cuts) are made in the scrotum (Figure 2). These incisions are so small that stitches may not be needed. If stitches are used, they will dissolve by themselves.

After making the incisions, the doctor will cut the sperm ducts, removing about one-half inch to one inch of each duct. This is done to reduce the possibility of the sperm ducts rejoining (Figure 3).

How will I feel after the procedure?

The most common side effects of vasectomy are minor bleeding (enough to stain the bandage), some discomfort, and mild swelling in the area of the incision. These are not unusual and should stop within 72 hours. Occasionally, the skin of the scrotum and base of the penis turn black and blue. This lasts only a few days, and will disappear without treatment.

The most commonly reported complication is mild discomfort in the testicles that usually improves with medication, warm soaks, and by elevating the scrotum. Infrequently, a patient may experience pain around the testicles up to 20 years after the vasectomy. This is a harmless reaction and usually responds to heat and medication.

Very rarely, a small blood vessel may enter the scrotum and form a clot. A small clot will probably dissolve after time, but a large one can be painful and usually requires reopening of the scrotum for drainage. This procedure will require hospitalization and usually a general anesthetic.

Will I miss any days at work?

Most men return to work after 2 days. Some men choose to recuperate over a weekend so they don’t miss any work. Your doctor will tell you to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for the first 3 days after your vasectomy.

Is the procedure always successful?

Semen is sperm-free in almost all men following a vasectomy. Of every 1000 men who have a vasectomy, less than 2 continue to have sperm in their semen. It is very rare for the sperm ducts not to seal completely. In the event that they do not, you may need a second vasectomy.

When will I be able to return to sexual activity?

You should postpone sexual activity for 72 hours. Because sperm can survive for 6 months or more, you will be asked to bring two specimens of ejaculate for examination under a microscope to your follow-up visit. Unprotected intercourse should not take place until sterility is assured, so continue to use some form of birth control. We suggest a minimum of 3 to 4 months with a minimum of 20 ejaculations before the first semen analysis six-weeks following your procedure. We also recommend that a second analysis eight-weeks following your procedure to indicate the absence of sperm before you resume unprotected intercourse.

Will masculinity be affected?

No. Vasectomy is not the same thing as castration, and sterility does not mean impotence. The hormones that affect masculinity (eg, growth of facial hair, having a
deep voice, sex drive) are still made in the testicles after a vasectomy. These hormones will continue to flow throughout the body in the bloodstream.

Vasectomy Reversal-What if I change my mind?

A vasectomy should be considered to be a permanent procedure. It is not for men who plan to have children in the future. However, with the death of a child or spouse, or in the case of divorce, it may be possible to reverse this procedure. However, the reversal may fail due to persistent blockages in the sperm ducts.
We do perform vasectomy reversals in our surgical facility. If interested in a microscopic vasectomy reversal, Dr. McHugh is one of the most experienced reversal urologists in Georgia. Call Kathy Burton at 770-535-0001 ext 113 or Kathy.burton@ngurology.com to schedule your free reversal consultation and visit Dr. McHugh’s reversal website Gavasectomyreversal.com

“I was very pleased with the entire process. Dr. McHugh fully educated me on the vasectomy and then performed the procedure perfectly. He made the entire experience easy and painless.”

-W.W. Gainesvile, Ga.

Considering a vasectomy? You can ask a question here or schedule a consultation for a no needle no scalpel vasectomy 24/7. We have fair self-pay pricing, options for patients with high deductibles, in office local anesthesia with oral pre-medication, and for the patient who prefers it I.V. general anesthesia in our accredited ambulatory urological surgery center. Call or email us and we’ll make it happen!